Heritage railway operating since 1878

In 1878, construction commenced on the Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway.  (Government Gums is now known as Farina, and lies close to the northern end of the Flinders Ranges). The Port Augusta and Government Gums Railway Act of 1876 stipulated that the gauge of the railway "shall be 3 feet 6 inches" (1067mm) with iron rails "not less than 40 pounds to the yard." The railway reached Quorn on 15 December 1879, and Government Gums in 1882. Government Gums was chosen as the terminus because of a reliable water supply. The line was extended to Oodnadatta in 1891 (becoming the Great Northern Railway) and further to Alice Springs (771 miles or 1241 km) in 1929, as the Central Australia Railway. The famous Ghan passenger train travelled this way between 1923 and 1956, and beyond Marree, on the northern part of this route until 1980.

You can enjoy a full-day or half-day trip aboard a restored steam or heritage diesel train on the original Ghan route between Port Augusta and Quorn on the Pichi Richi Railway.

Watch gum-lined creeks, bluebush-studded hills and ancient rocky outcrops roll past at the relaxed pace of years gone by. All trains use historic steam or diesel locomotives or railcars or immaculately restored timber carriages some more than 130 years old.

Since 1973, volunteers of the Pichi Richi Railway Preservation Society continue to proudly restore and run the railway, one of the Flinders Ranges' top attractions.

We operate on selected dates from March to November each year. Click to see our timetable, click to book online or phone 1800 PR RAIL (1800 77 7245) to book at the Flinders Ranges Visitor Information Centre.

 

Award-Winning Restoration – Carriage 470

Award-Winning Restoration – Carriage 470

What an incredible achievement for our dedicated Carriage Department volunteers, who have been recognised with the ATHRA (Association of Tourist and Heritage Rail Australia) Passenger Vehicle Restoration Award for the restoration of Carriage 470.

Since 2020, volunteers have committed their time, skills and resources to restoring this historic South Australian Railways carriage, originally built at Islington in 1911 and preserving an important piece of railway heritage for future generations to enjoy.

The restoration was truly a labour of love:

🔹 14,000 volunteer hours contributed

🔹 160 window catches restored

🔹 40 windows and 40 shutters restored

🔹 1.5 kilometres of timber used to line the ceiling

🔹 14,000 wood screws installed

🔹 560 litres of paint applied This award recognises the dedication, craftsmanship and perseverance of the many volunteers who contributed to the project, including Alan Ainsworth, Geoff Annear, Mike Brett, Don Bryker, Bruce Collins, Geoff Cox,

Chris Dunbar, Matt Dunbar, Dave Fisher, Kath Fisher, Dean Foster, Wayne Hoskin, Rob Jones, Travis McDonald, Paul Moffitt, Eric Platt, Les Potter, the late Ray King, and many others who lent a hand along the way. Thank you to everyone involved in preparing and submitting the award nomination, and thank you to ATHRA for recognising the restoration of Carriage 470 with this prestigious national award. Congratulations to all involved in this remarkable project and thank you for helping preserve an important piece of South Australian rail history

Photo credit: Kay Cawthorne; Peter Taylor and other volunteers.